Senatorial candidates tackle Chinese ‘debt trap’, drug war in debate

April 28, 2019

photo by CRIS EUGENE T. GIANAN

ELEVEN SENATORIAL candidates clashed on whether the Philippines is falling for China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” in light of President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to China, and the administration’s drug war, among other issues during CNN Philippines’ debate held Saturday in UST.

China’s debt-trap diplomacy is an issue in international relations where China supposedly lends unpayable loans at high interests to third world countries who are forced to surrender their patrimonial assets as compensation.

‘Trash Chinese deals’

Election lawyer Macalintal said agreements between the Philippines and China not being a “done deal” presents problems.

Former Bayan Muna representative Colmenares also challenged the administration to present copies of the Chinese loans that have been straddled by confidentiality agreements.

Former Solicitor General and Artlet alumnus Hilbay cited Sri Lanka as an example of the debt trap. The country was forced to surrender a strategic port to China after failing to pay its 7 billion-dollar loan.

According to The New York Times, Sri Lanka also leased 15,000 acres of land to China for 99 years in addition to the Hambantota port.

‘Failed drug war’

Hilbay claimed that the president’s campaign against illegal drugs has failed and that Filipinos have become more critical of extrajudicial killings, which Tañada said has caused 25,000 deaths under investigation.

“If we want to stop the war on drugs, then we have to be sure those who are doing this get punished. The big problem is ‘yung tinitira nila puro mahihirap, asan ang mga drug lord?” human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said.

Duterte and his anti-illegal drugs policy have been condemned by human rights groups for urging the public to kill suspected drug personalities and addicts.

Despite conceding that a “drug-free Philippines” is still a far-off dream, Dela Rosa insisted that the current administration has done the most to attain it.

The senatorial debate was held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion. Among the other issues tackled were the country’s disaster preparedness and the system of checks and balances in the government. F ANGEL B. DUKHA III and CRIS EUGENE T. GIANAN